A concept for using the spent external tank from a National Space Transportation System (NSTS) to derive a lunar habitat is described. The external tank is carried into low Earth orbit where the oxygen tank-intertank subassembly is separated from the hydrogen tank, berthed to Space Station Freedom and the subassembly outfitted as a 12-person lunar habitat using extravehicular activity (EVA) and intravehicular activity (IVA). A single launch of the NSTS orbiter can place the external tank in LEO, provide orbiter astronauts for disassembly of the external tank, and transport the required subsystem hardware for outfitting the lunar habitat. An estimate of the astronauts' EVA and IVA is provided. The liquid oxygen intertank modifications utilize existing structures and openings for man access without compromising the structural integrity of the tank. The modifications include installation of living quarters, instrumentation, and an airlock. Feasibility studies of the following additional systems include micrometeoroid and radiation protection, thermal control, environmental control and life support, and propulsion. The converted lunar habitat is designed for unmanned transport and autonomous soft landing on the lunar surface without need for site preparation. Lunar regolith is used to fill the micrometeoroid shield volume for radiation protection using a conveyer. The lunar habitat concept is considered to be feasible by the year 2000 with the concurrent development of a space transfer vehicle and a lunar lander for crew changeover and resupply. King, Charles B. and Butterfield, Ansel J. and Hypes, Warren D. and Nealy, John E. and Simonsen, Lisa C. Langley Research Center RTOP 326-23-30-01...

NASAによる本報告書は、一見すれば冷徹な技術文書ですが、その核心に宿るのは「廃材から生命の揺りかごを築く」という究極のフロンティア精神です。使い捨てられるはずの外部燃料タンクを月面の居住区へと転生させる構想は、現代の錬金術とも呼べる壮大な物語性を秘めています。緻密な設計の背後には、過酷な宇宙空間で人間の生を肯定しようとする科学者たちの執念と、静かなる情熱が息づいています。 本作の文学的な魅力は、既存の構造を換骨奪胎して新たな価値を見出す「再生」の哲学にあります。無機質な鉄の殻が、十二人の鼓動が響く生活の場へと変貌を遂げるプロセスは、あらゆるＳＦ小説を凌駕するリアリティと高揚感を読者に与えます。未踏の地で月面の砂を積み上げ、過酷な放射線から命を守り抜こうとするその設計図は、人類が抱く不屈の開拓者魂を映し出す、真の未来記と言えるでしょう。